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2024-06-30-accounts

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 30 June 2024

Registered number: 01850467 Registered charity number: 291130

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

CONTENTS
Pages
Administrative information 2
Trustees’ report including statement of Trustees’
responsibilities		 3 – 26
Independent Examiner’s report 27 – 28
Statement of financial activities 29
Balance sheet 30
Statement of cash flows 31
Notes to the financial statements 32 – 42

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (A company limited by guarantee) ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

Trustees and Directors: Nicholas Payne (Chair)
Tony Colville (resigned 4 October 2024)
Katie Fulcher
William Husselby OBE
Amahra Spence (resigned 19 October 2023)
Lauren Williams
Justine Themen
Richard Willacy
Stephen Maddock (elected 4 October 2024)
Personnel: General Director – Richard Willacy
Music Director – Alpesh Chauhan OBE
General Manager – Hannah Griffiths
Creative Producer – Diandra McCalla
Associate Artists: Vocal Coach – Jane Robinson
Choral Directors- Mariana Rosas, Themba Mvula
Casting Consultant – Sarah Playfair
Projects Consultant – Sheelagh Barnard
Chartered Management Accountant –
Shohaib Shafiq ACMA, CGMA
Secretary: Richard Willacy
Registered Office: 205 The Argent Centre
60 Frederick Street
Birmingham
B1 3HS
Bankers: Lloyds Bank plc
36/38 New Street
Birmingham
B2 4LP
Independent Examiner: David Hoose
Forvis Mazars LLP
First Floor
Two Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3AX
Registered Charity Number: 291130

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

The Trustees, who are also directors of the Company, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th June 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for the Directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

OVERVIEW

At the heart of the charity’s objectives is the aim to bring the best quality opera to the broadest possible audience. To this end, we have built and continue to develop an extraordinary company of volunteer performers drawn from Birmingham's diverse population. They contribute their time, talent and creativity alongside some of the world's leading opera professionals to create truly memorable productions. In return, we enable fantastic training, skills and self-confidence as well as friendships and contacts between people whose paths may not otherwise cross. This is social inclusion and highest quality art in action.

Without the support of our funders and partners Birmingham Opera Company would not exist, so grateful thanks are due to Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council and a number of long- supporting and new Trusts, Foundations and donors.

Birmingham City Council

Support from public funds and civic funds from Birmingham City Council has been critical to the success of the Company. That support acknowledges the role that the Company plays in representing the city in the international opera arena and in enriching the lives of the people and communities of Birmingham

As we write in late 2024, such civic support is under threat and all regularly funded organisations have received a 50% cut 2023-24 and from April 2025, BCC’s grant to us and other regularly funded organisations will be zero. We and other arts organisations will strive to work with BCC to look for ways in which BCC can support the cultural offer in the city.

Regional and National Partnerships

We are currently establishing evidence and partnerships which will bolster our sources of income and build resilience. In the current uncertain climate for funding, we are looking to diversify funding streams.

Arts Council England

In the current changing environment of public and civic funding, the Board continues to be appraised of and mitigate for foreseen risks. We were awarded continued National Portfolio Organisation status plus a 20% uplift in ACE funding for the period 2023-26. This additional funding is enabling us to develop a new strand of co-creation work, including a presence in currently underserved areas close to Birmingham. Arts Council England have recently announced that this NPO period will be extended to 2027. Additionally, Arts Council England have indicated that recognising inflationary pressures, outputs may be reduced by up to 15% in consultation with ACE.

International Partnerships

Similar to previous recent years we have taken up work in partnership – hosting the 2023 European Opera Prize supported by Camerata Nuova (Wiesbaden) with partners and significant in-kind support from partners Network Rail in the Research and Development phase. We acknowledge the financial support of the Czech Ministry of Culture.

Private Supporters

Trusts and Foundations

Birmingham Opera Company attracted support from 31 Trusts and Foundations in 2023 and 2024.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

Baron Davenport’s Charity, Camerata Nuova, CB and HH Taylor 1984 Trust, Edgar E Lawley Foundation, Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust, Foyle Foundation, G J W Turner Trust, Hodge Foundation, Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund, PRS Foundation, Scops Arts Trust, Souter Charitable Trust, The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust, The Cole Charitable Trust, The Eric W Vincent Trust Fund, The Eveson Trust, George Fentham Birmingham Charity,The Grantham Yorke Trust, The Grimmitt Trust, The Joseph Hopkins and Henry James Sayer Charity, The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation, The Norton Foundation, The Roger and Douglas Turner Charitable Trust, The Saintbury Trust, The Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust, The Steel Charitable Trust, The W.E.D. Charitable Trust, Vaughan Williams Foundation, William A Cadbury Charitable Trust, 29[th] May Charitable Trust, George Cadbury Fund.

The Dreamers’ Syndicate – supporting Michael Tippett’s New Year

Alison and Jamie Justham | Benedict and Katharine Cadbury and the George Cadbury Fund | Claire Barchard, in memory of John Barchard | Jerry Spence | Norman Rosenthal | Sally Groves, in memory of Dennis Marks

Legacies

We would like to note in particular a generous legacy from the Estate of the Late Professor Matthew Rolf Olsen and the late Nicholas Molyneux who was a regular monthly supporter who left a generous bequest. The funds enable significant work with communities and artists.

Ticket income

Box Office income is historically low as much of our work is delivered free at the point of access. We operate the lowest possible ticket prices to promote access, with a maximum ticket price of £24.99. Many paying audience members pay significantly less than this (from £5). We have no “tiers” – there is no better “seat” whether you pay £24.99 or £5. With very few of our year-round beneficiaries in the more affluent sections of society, philanthropy from individuals and Trusts is vital to support the large majority of our beneficiaries who come from the most economically challenged sections of society.

Birmingham Opera Company – where we are now

On 17 July 2021, we sadly lost our Founder Artistic Director, Graham Vick, who was knighted only months earlier for services to music in the regions.

The Board and Executive, artists, volunteers, and community partners aim to ensure that our unique work continues to lead the way in what opera can be and is sustainable for future generations, to ensure that Birmingham Opera Company can continue to sing stories which speak to everyone; opera for a 21st century UK. Front and centre is our mission to make opera which represents the rich variety of cultures and experience in a socially and culturally diverse UK.

In the transition from being a founder-led company, our first tasks were to develop a company structure and to devise a bold, forward-looking strategy.

Opera in Birmingham and the West Midlands

As we write in December 2024, we are the only opera company fully based in Birmingham with a yearround programme in the Midlands. The Opera offer has been diminishing in the region for some time with touring companies visiting less frequently and potentially stopping in the near future. We see our role as striving to represent our city and region in developing an offer for those who live and work here.

We constantly review our work to ensure that it is direct and open to those who have not previously accessed publicly funded culture and especially opera.

Birmingham is at a critical juncture with loss of funding to Culture from the city. We aim to find ways to grow the work of Birmingham Opera Company. To do this will require additional private and public funding and income streams. As we develop a new model for growth we will also look to economic benefit in terms of

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

inward investment and employment opportunities for regionally based artists, producers and other freelancers and companies.

Current Structure

Richard Willacy (Associate Director since 2000, on retainer as lead for participation and digital since 2005, Associate Artistic Director from 2008-14, Executive Producer of Mittwoch aus Licht for London 2012, Executive Director 2014-21) was appointed General Director with overall responsibility for artistic and financial leadership and elected to the Board as a Trustee on 1 July 2022 after approval from the Charity Commission sought earlier in the year.

Birmingham born Alpesh Chauhan OBE remained as Music Director (appointed 2020), primarily conducting New Year with the CBSO, Hannah Griffiths as General Manager, Charlotte Titcombe as Development Co-ordinator, (leaving October 2023). Midlands grown Diandra McCalla remained in the newly created role (November 2022), Creative Producer. Hannah Griffiths has since left to work with Opera Europa as an Associate Director, Development and Collaborations and will maintain a relationship as a BOC Board member.

Around this core structure we employ artistic and production freelancers. The Board would like to express their gratitude to Sheelagh Barnard who has been Projects Director since 2002 and who stepped aside in 2024 having found and inducted a new and experienced production manager.

With an expanded programme we have also been able to engage a greater number and variety of emerging freelance artists.

In consultation with the Board we have created an holistic programme which forges a grassroots presence with an open offer for all to develop their creative capacity in a dynamic shared space.

In consultation with the Board in 2023-26 we seek to explore and develop the following key areas:

The Board recognise their role in ensuring that the mission of the Charity is well met by them and the Executive through clear targets and reporting internally and externally to stakeholders. Quarterly review of all targets at Board level and greater proximity to the work by Board members will be the cornerstone of the next phase of work.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

CORE FOCUS

World Class Opera in Birmingham

Birmingham Opera Company draws internationally renowned and emerging artists to the region, gaining national and international recognition for the city and the cultural offer in the region.

Participatory training as a tool to achieve artistically at the highest level

We believe that participatory training in partnership with volunteers is essential to the practice and training of the highest calibre artists and will be at the heart of the art form's future.

Participation as a tool to develop a new generation of diverse UK artists

Conservatoires and training organisations all agree that fewer and fewer socially and ethnically diverse British artists are coming through their doors. We are growing a new generation of diverse, socially responsible singers, directors, designers and choreographers through our work.

Co-Creation as a rewarding method for participants and artists and to access new audiences

With artists and art revitalised by participatory work, we will continue to re-invigorate the genre and the audience.

Leading the way

Birmingham Opera Company's intergenerational and intercultural practice was ahead of the curve in the first year of existence. Birmingham Opera Company's "participatory" model won the Royal Philharmonic Society Award (RPS) for New Audience Development in 2001 and again in 2007, the only company to win it twice in that decade.

In the UK, we have achieved the highest accolade in opera, the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Opera and Music Theatre, firstly in 2012 for Mittwoch aus Licht and again in 2019 for Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk . We were nominated for the South Bank Show Sky Arts Award for Best Opera 2015 and 2020.

Globally we are making a mark, having been awarded the International Opera Award 2015 for Best Production against stiff international competition from Metropolitan Opera New York, Zurich Opera, Dutch National Opera, Festival d'Aix and English National Opera. At the International Opera Awards 2016, Birmingham Opera Company was nominated for the Accessibility Award and Rediscovered Work Award and were winners of both the FEDORA Education Prize 2020 and the International Opera Award for Outreach and Education 2021.

Birmingham Opera Company is the only company to have received both the RPS Award for Opera and Music Theatre and the International Opera Award for Best Production. It is also the only participatory company to receive either award, let alone both.

Additionally, Birmingham Opera Company’s model has been adopted in Europe and beyond in collaborations with external producers who pay full costs of the work in their respective cities. International co-productions have taken place in Macerata (Italy), Valencia (Spain) and Poznań (Poland). Our diverse artists and audiences make our work in Birmingham a unique model for the future of opera.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

As 2019 Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Opera and Music Theatre for the groundbreaking Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk the judges said: " Another sensational production from Birmingham Opera Company embracing and embedding its community in world-class work. This is the kind of thing we all wish we were doing – a model to us all in being ambitious and truly going for it. It delivers the pure drama and emotional punch of opera without gimmicks – the audience feels right inside it, and it proves how resonant, inclusive and exciting opera is ."

With Covid in full thrust we were listed in the Top Ten Musical Pivots by Musical America in 2020-21.

Sadly, founder Graham Vick passed away in 2021 and Richard Willacy picked up RhineGold as director. In 2022 we were finalists in Sky Arts South Bank Show Awards for RhineGold and recognising the contribution to the opera ecology over decades, The Critics’ Circle awarded BOC the Outstanding Achievement in Opera Award in recognition of the work of Graham Vick.

In 2023-24, we were European Opera-directing Prize hosts in collaboration with Smetana 200 in the Czech Republic and Lviv National Opera in Ukraine.

In Summer 2024 our production of Michael Tippett’s New Year was described as “a major operatic rediscovery” having remained unperformed since its first outings in 1989-90.

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Laws applicable to charitable companies in England and Wales require the Trustees to prepare the financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

The Company is limited by guarantee and therefore does not have a share capital. The liability of members is limited, and details of their guarantee are detailed in the notes to the accounts. The Company is also registered as a charity.

The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 24th September 1984, amended 19th July 2012.

Overall responsibility for the Company's activities is vested in the Board, whose members also serve as the charity's Trustees. All of the Trustees are in non-executive positions.

The Trustees are appointed at the Company's Annual General Meeting; casual vacancies are filled by appointment agreed by the Board.

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Potential Trustees are invited to an initial interview with the Chair and/or the General Director. The appointment of a new Trustee must be approved at a full meeting of the current Trustees. Trustees receive an induction pack with information about the Company and a detailed written guide to their responsibilities as a Trustee. The Chair is initially responsible with the General Director for the induction and training of a new Trustee.

The day-to-day management of the Company is delegated to the General Director who is expected to report to the Trustees at a minimum of four times each year, and more if required. These meetings monitor the activities of the Company, the finances of the Company, the risk assessments and future planning to achieve the aims of the charity. Officers of our two major funders, Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council, are invited to attend all Trustee meetings.

OBJECTS & ACTIVITIES

The principal activity of the Company is to encourage and promote the advancement of learning and in particular the art and science of music by the production, arrangement, promotion and commissioning of opera under the name of Birmingham Opera Company and other musical performances and concerts, and to foster interest in such operas, concerts and musical performances by such means as may from time to time be considered appropriate by the Company.

Birmingham Opera Company aims to bring the best quality opera to the broadest possible audience. Working outside the norms of most opera companies, it is dedicated to mounting productions away from existing opera houses and theatres and to presenting opera in unusual places at affordable prices. It has a policy of encouraging local people to take part as volunteer performers alongside the professional team of singers, players and technicians as well as attend the performances. A two-way process creating the opportunity for more people to be a part of opera, whilst enriching Birmingham Opera Company’s work with a wealth of human experience. Birmingham Opera Company combines the highest artistic standards with an open invitation to the people of the city to join in and explore this deeply transformative art form.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

In shaping our objectives and planning the programme, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging. Birmingham Opera Company relies on grants and income from fees and charges to cover its operating costs. In setting the level of fees, charges and concessions, the Trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of the performance space for those on low incomes.

The strategies employed to achieve the charity's aims and objectives are to:

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

To achieve this strategy, we have a programme of targeted events delivered at grass roots level within the underrepresented communities we want to engage. We support and train people who elect to become part of our full-scale productions and make sure that confidence levels rise to match the level of performance we are internationally renowned for. We also support people to progress and pursue other opportunities to take part in arts activities in the city or to pursue further study in either formal or informal settings.

Since its inception, Birmingham Opera Company has shown a unique commitment to offering local people the opportunity to engage with opera first hand and, crucially, to creating work that is enriched by the wealth of human experience that exists among the people of Birmingham. We know that to be embedded in the life of our city, we need to sustain our curiosity about the people who live, work and study here, what their lives are like, and how to build meaningful relationships with them.

In the thirty years of work here, Birmingham itself has become home to even greater ethnic, economic, cultural and social diversity. We aim to serve the broadest possible range of peoples, many underserved by publicly funded art and new to opera. Birmingham gives us such an opportunity to do so.

Key information about Birmingham

Wealth 43% of Birmingham’s population live in IMD1 areas – neighbourhoods in the
10% most deprived areas in England (Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2019
statistical release). 22% of Birmingham’s population are in income deprivation.
Birmingham is ranked second among English Core Cities for income
deprivation.
Education Birmingham has the highest share of people with no qualifications whatsoever
of any UK city. That share is twice the GB average: 8% on average, 16% in
Birmingham (Centre for Cities, 2018).
Ethnicity Birmingham is the most diverse city in England, with a population as follows
(2021 census):
Asian/Asian British 31.0%
Black/Black British 11.0%
Mixed 4.8%
Other ethnic group 4.5%
White 48.6%%
Age Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe. Nearly 40% of the population is
under 25 years old (Census 2021).

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

We also know that the “wealthiest, better educated and least ethnically diverse 8% of the population forms the most culturally active segment of all” in England, in relation to publicly funded culture (Warwick Commission, 2015). Birmingham Opera Company has a long and successful history of cultivating approaches that enable and celebrate diverse communities consuming, participating in and contributing to the Company’s work. For example:

Wealth Most of Birmingham Opera Company’s work is free at the point of access
Tickets to productions are highly subsidised
Much of Birmingham Opera Company’s work takes place in IMD1 and
IMD2 areas
Volunteers are reimbursed for travel expenses
Education - Free, in-depth training to any Brummie who wishes to volunteer with the
Company
- Taster sessions enable people to gain confidence and get to know the
Company (as well as continually informing the Company’s approach)
- Training caters for a range of learning styles and is fully accessible to
people with no previous experience in the performing arts
Ethnicity -
Strong track record in representing the population of Birmingham in
casting and the wider workforce
-
Development initiatives for diverse artists and workforce across a range
of disciplines, feeding the talent pipeline
Age -
Bespoke initiatives for 16–25-year-olds (e.g. Voices of the Future, fast-
track rehearsal process)

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Programme, reach and impact

Birmingham Opera Company delivers a holistic programme of multi-scale work: grassroots engagement activities, productions, training for volunteer performers, artist development. These are commitments that co-exist, overlap and enrich one another.

As detailed elsewhere, our offer sits in an otherwise regionally diminishing opera offer for a city of one million residents and in a region of three million residents .

Since 2023 we have expanded our reach both artistically and geographically with a mission to demonstrate need and opportunity in this challenging environment.

We especially work hard to engage demographics and locations who are otherwise unlikely to be able to access publicly or privately funded opera .

“An army of Brummies are the backbone of a promenade production.” Neil Fisher The Times July 2024

Our programme in 2023-24 :

1. Four Hubs (p.12) - our year-round Birmingham programme of events and performances;

2. Sandwell Creates (p14) - a new geographical area and co-creation strand starting from scratch to create new work;

3. The Opera Lab (p15)- a place for artists and participants to engage, test and develop work;

4. Brum Commissions (p15) - a new commission series for emerging artists to develop their craft;

5. New Production- Bedřich Smetana’s Two Widows (p16);

7. Evolve - Creative Skills in the region (p23)- whilst all our work offers opportunity to grow creatively and professionally, we collaborate with the educational sector and others to offer career opportunities and awareness.

8. Digital (p24) – Two full length film versions released and more on the way.

Ways of understanding our work and impact

One way we try to understand who our work is engaging is the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). IMD is a scale that rates deprivation in England in deciles, from 1 (the 10% most deprived geographical areas) to 10 (the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods). Various domains of deprivation are considered and weighted, such as income, employment, education and health.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

The overall picture

We strive for a truly diverse model. Going forward we will continue to direct our resources and efforts to welcome people that opera and publicly funded culture is typically less successful in engaging, including people of the Global Majority, young people, people from lower IMD deciles. Each year, we disaggregate data according to the different ways in which we invite people to engage with Birmingham Opera Company. We do this with a view to understanding how we can best enable the broadest range of people to participate in our work right across the board.

Diversity of workforce

Birmingham Opera Company is still the only opera organisation delivering a truly diverse model at the centre of its work in the UK and Europe. Once again, in line with our “Outstanding” rating in ACE’s Creative Case for Diversity, in 2023-24 we engaged artists and freelance staff in all roles with a resolute commitment to representing the peoples of Birmingham.

Reaching Out – making Opera accessible and available to all

As detailed above, throughout the year we work with over 80 freelance artists and over 50 partners, performing and engaging with the peoples of Birmingham and Sandwell, free at the point of access. This work creates the foundations by which our productions are underpinned. The productions for which we are renowned are inseparable from such engagement.

Local Partners- each year we partner with organisations which host us

1000 Trades | Acocks Green Library | Birmingham Hippodrome | Birmingham Migration Forum | Birmingham New Street Station | Birmingham REP | Black Country Touring | BMET Sutton College | British Red Cross Birmingham | Causeway Green Primary School | Celebrating Sanctuary | Eastside Projects | Erdington Arts Forum | Erdington Library | GAP Entertainment Studios | Girlguiding Birmingham | Handsworth Library | Jewellery Quarter BID | Journey LGBT+ Asylum Group | Let’s Chat Community Hub | Lion Farm Action Centre | MAC Birmingham | Multistory | Network Rail | Nicholson School of Dance | Northfield Arts Forum | Northfield Community Partnership | Northfield Library | Oddingley Hall | OPUS | Powered By Can | Radio Stall Dreaming | Restore | Royal Birmingham Conservatoire | Royal Orthopaedic Hospital | Sandwell College | Sandwell Music and Arts Service | Shard End Library | South and City College | St Barnabus Church | St Michael and the Holy Angels | Stan’s Cafe | One Stop Shopping Centre | The Birch Network | The Choir with No Name | The Crescent Theatre | The Prince’s Trust | The Printmakers Arms | Waste Paper Opera | West Bromwich BID | West Bromwich Indoor Markets

The result- a powerhouse for socially engaged opera at the highest level.

Birmingham Opera Company delivered three substantial volunteer driven-performance projects in 202324: Brum Commissions’ 4 Notes to The City and Leonard, Bedřich Smetana’s Two Widows and the majority of the production process for Michael Tippett’s New Year as well as space for R&D “The Opera Lab” for artists and community to test and develop ideas. All involved casts of professional artists and volunteers, and across these projects there were significant programmes of volunteer training for performance and opportunities to engage with – and shape new work in new ways with multiple creative teams.

1. Four Hubs- year-round programme

From July 2023 to June 2024, we made 17,138 engagements with participants, volunteers, and audiences, through a range of free targeted events and activities in collaboration with community organisations across the city. All activities in the year-round programme were free at the point of access for all participants.

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Ethnic Diversity of Four Hubs Participants

(Sample Size= 84)

----- Start of picture text -----
12% 3%
14%
8% 1%
1% [1%] 1%
16%
18%
2% 11%
8% 1% 3%
----- End of picture text -----

Asian/ Asian British Indian Asian/ Asian British Pakistani Asian/ Asian British Bangladeshi Any other Asian background Black/Black British African Black/Black British Caribbean Any other Black background White and Black Caribbean White and Asian Any other Mixed Background White British White Irish Any other white background Arab Rather Not Say

Free targeted events and activities :

We delivered 126 free targeted events and activities across our Four Hubs in Birmingham. Two of the hubs are geographical (Northfield and Erdington) and two of the hubs are in the interest of community groups (Young People and Newly arrived/ Asylum seekers).

All activities were free at the point of access:

60 x Small-group sessions:

66 x Performances:

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

----- Start of picture text -----
D/deaf, Disabled and Long Gender Identity of Four Hubs
Term Health Conditions Four Participants
Hub Participants (Sample Size= 84)
(Sample Size= 84)
12%
1%
1%
8% 16% 30%
56%
Woman Man
76%
Non Binary Identify some other way
Yes No Rather not say Rather not say
----- End of picture text -----

2. Sandwell Creates - a new BOC initiative in the wider West Midlands Region

“The truth is, if this opportunity had been around when I was growing up in Sandwell, I might not have had the

courage to get involved. I’d have been worried that I wouldn’t fit in or that I’d embarrass myself. Then, years later, I’d have been an adult who really regretted not being braver and finding out what I was capable of. Believe me, it’s better to risk a little bit of embarrassment than a lot of regret. Go for it!” Frank Skinner

4 Hubs/Sandwell – on the ground

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

3. The Opera Lab October 2023

– R&D rehearsal workshops

4. Brum Commissions July 2023 - March 2024

In response to the lack of opportunity for emerging artists to find space together and to make and perform work with financial support, Brum Commissions aims to engage emerging artists from writers, composers, director/designers, singers, instrumentalists and dramaturgs supported by technical production teams to create new work which speaks. Subjects ranged from the story of a working-class Irish immigrant to Birmingham in the 1950s (a tribute to the composer’s grandfather), violence in Education, Codification of Desire for LGBT+ community, Love and the closing down of a bar in Birmingham.

Leonard - 4 rehearsal and training sessions and performed as part of the JQ Festival in a bar 1000 Trades in Birmingham

In March 2024, we commissioned four emerging composers to present a brand-new short form opera.

We were able to offer leading solo roles alongside 23 emerging artists as performers, writers, composers and directors and players as we aspire to engage a new generation of artists in making new work.

[shut] - composer Daniel Blanco Albert / writer Roxanne Korda). Director, Anna Himali-Howard

Conflict in Numbers - composer Ryan Morgan. Director, Beth Kapila

the heart must weather what the heart was made to take -composer Cassie Kinoshi/ writer Lydia Luke. Director, Abigail Kelly

From Tulip to Orchid (with love ) - composer Michael Taplin/ writer Gareth Mattey) Director Tabitha Benton Evans.

Dramaturg – Alice Chambers

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

In the case of composers, librettists & directors:

The works were performed alongside each other in a dress rehearsal and two performances to a total audience of 152 people. In total, 24 engagements were made with the volunteers.

These new works were also a test for us in engaging ticket buying audiences for a new strand. We also supported Birmingham grown (now London-based) Waste Paper Opera National Lottery application to mount a project in the same gallery space.

Through this three-way collaboration of Eastside Projects , Waste Paper Opera and our Brum Commissions we attracted audiences interested in both installation art, new work and new music.

5. Smetana’s The Two Widows – July 2023 – June 2024

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BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

----- Start of picture text -----
D/deaf, Disabled and Long Term Health Gender Identity of Two Widows
Conditions of Two Widows Volunteers Volunteers
(Sample size - 7) (Sample size = 7)
Disability
No disability
Rather not say
Not known
Woman Man Not Known
----- End of picture text -----

Audience Feedback

“Very funny, exciting staging, warm themes. Innovative and inspiring for creative minds”.

Volunteer Feedback

“It's been a joyous uplifting experience after a long period of heart problems. very supportive, creative, surprising, friendly. Loved the entire team with Lorenzo encouraging us all the way to give our all. BOC are wonderful, I always feel so glad I have participated and hope to do more. B'ham is so lucky to have such a fantastic resource. Thank you.”

“Fascinating to be part of the exploration and creation of an opera production in its infancy and over 8 months; as it came together into a slick performance before transferring to the Czech Republic….. A rarely performed opera will become both a celebration of its composer but also a modern exploration of Human Third Age”

Survey Question - Has it taught you anything? And if so, what? Answer – “anything is possible”

Two Widows’ Press

“It almost beggars belief that such a degree of empathy, kindness and understanding for people in advanced years, as well as good-natured humour, could be possessed by such a young creative team….The producers have admirably succeeded in combining this storyline with Smetana's score and playing it out with theatrical inventiveness using brilliantly observed situations and gestures from the setting of retirement homes and their clients’ behaviour” Helena Havliková, Opera Magazine

17

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

’ – 6. Michael Tippett s New Year September 2023 July 2024

When in 2022 and sifting through 60 titles, New Year floated to the top as a “must-do” for Birmingham. Unstaged since 1990, much of its futurism is now in our lives; space travel, virtual worlds, societal conflict. Its eclectic musical world riffing on ska, jazz, classical, electronics, haunting blues, constantly shuffling now a way many also listen to music. Tippett’s pioneering approach to put urban modern life on stage and brought to life with diverse international cast (UK, USA, South Africa), the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and people of Birmingham, though a massive undertaking and clearly risky, was too much to resist. Joining Alpesh Chauhan, conducting and Mariana Rosas as Choral Director, was a new-to-us creative team led by Keith Warner. New Year also enabled us to engage new voices in creating the work from the Midlands as Dramaturg and assistants. Building on our small group sessions and performances, Brum Commissions, chorus training began in April and with over 68 rehearsals with volunteers across chorus, actors and dancers, by the time the mysterious blue Dream Tent appeared, Birmingham was talking Tippett. In partnership with the rights’ holders, the city council, property developers and funders, the whole company rose to the challenge.

“Why there’s a huge blue tent in Digbeth and you can visit it for £5”- The Birmingham Mail

New Year – 68 rehearsal and training sessions and 6 performances in May - July 2024 – 40 of these training sessions took place before this 30 June year-end.

18

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

Access at New Year

In a collaboration with Talking Birds we were able to offer hand-held captions in performances via wifi and mobile devices. We also employed Surtitles for the first time.

Press

“An army of Brummies are the backbone of a promenade production” – The Times

“With an engaged and utterly fearless community chorus of 100, it’s a remarkable and inspiring feat” – Clive Paget, The Guardian

“A major operatic re-discovery” – Richard Bratby, The Spectator

“Operatic life would be much duller without the music of Michael Tippett and the work of Birmingham Opera Company” The Times, Neil Fisher

“demonstrating that opera can indeed re-pitch itself in the twenty-first century, Serious art and popular expression, cultural diversity and the very highest standards of performance: these do not always have to be implacable enemies or forced and awkward partners.” Edinburgh Music Review, Simon Barrow, July 2024

★★★★ The Times ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Stage ★★★★ The Telegraph

Audience

1852 people from Birmingham and the wider regions attended the dress rehearsal and final performances of New Year . We offered explorer tickets for £5 each to 16–25-year-olds, care experienced people aged 16+, those who are unemployed, those who qualify for government assistance and residents of Erdington, Northfield, Perry Barr and Ward End.

31% of audience members were from IMD 1-2 areas and over 50% of audience members were from IMD 1-3 areas.

Audience Quotes

“Accessible, Different, Zany”

Exciting, Confusing and Thrilling

“So proud of Birmingham opera that looks like the people, not some irrelevant art form but living, breathing, telling relevant stories. World-class singing and showing that inclusivity and quality sit well together. Thank you, BOC! “

19

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

----- Start of picture text -----
How likely are audience members to recommend
Birmingham Opera Company to a friend, family member or
colleague?
(Sample size = 450)
350 309
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
----- End of picture text -----

Beneficiaries – New Year : Volunteers (data from 82 completed surveys out of 106 participants)

Gender Identity No. of volunteers
Female 45
Male 30
Identify in another way 2
Disability
D/deaf, disabled or with a long-term health condition 13
Not disabled 61
Age
0-19 1
20-24 2
25-34 3
35-49 26
50-64 23
65-74 24
75+ 5

20

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Ethnic Diversity of New Year Volunteers

(Sample size = 73)

----- Start of picture text -----
1%
3% 1%
1%
19%
4%
5%
3%
3% 3%
1%
1% 3% 3% 5% 4%
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
38%
----- End of picture text -----

White - English/Scottish/Welsh/N.Irish/British White - Irish White - Other Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups - White & Black Caribbean Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups - White & Black African Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups - White & Asian Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Groups - Other Asian/Asian British - Indian Asian/Asian British - Pakistani Asian/Asian British - Chinese Asian/Asian British - Other Black/African/Caribbean/Black British - African Black/African/Caribbean/Black British - Caribbean Black/African/Caribbean/Black British - Other Arab Latin American Rather not say

21

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

New Year : Index of Multiple Deprivation Data

Data collected indicates that 51% of volunteers in New Year came from IMD1-3 areas (30% most deprived areas in England – Index of Multiple Deprivation, ONS 2019 statistical release).

----- Start of picture text -----
IMD Profile for New Year Volunteers
(Sample size= 92)
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
IMD 1 IMD 2 IMD 3 IMD 4 IMD 5 IMD 6 IMD 7 IMD 8 IMD 9 IMD 10
----- End of picture text -----

Personal & Social Impact

When asked how participating in New Year had helped them, our volunteers reported the following positive impacts: (sample 82 surveys collected):

New Year Volunteer Feedback (Sample size = 82) Tried things they had never done before Became more confident in what they could achieve Developed a more active social life Learnt from people who had different backgrounds… Gained a better understanding of other people's… Felt better / healthier Felt happier 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% % of Volunteers

22

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

In addition :

23% said they decided to start some training or a college course.

39% said it helped them go to an arts event or exhibition they wouldn't have gone to before. 51% said they became involved in other community projects.

Participant voices (as written):

“This production came at a difficult time for me personally. Following a sudden medical issue, I felt extreme anxiety and BOC rehearsals were the first thing to get me out of the house. The ambition of this particular production is hugely inspiring and it's an absolute privilege to get to work alongside such hugely talented people”

“It's always a joy to be involved in projects like New Year & making friends & music along the way, but such a sad time when it ends”

“I love that BOC accepts everyone and ensures we are able to voice ourselves”

“Birmingham Opera Company is not just an art company but a base to the community mindset, the culture and the wellbeing of society”

“It is a very special place where professionals and amateurs interact really well together to produce high quality work. I have loved it!”

In addition to the core creative team, the chorus worked alongside Chorus Directors Mariana Rosas, with support from 5 rehearsal pianists and a team of 10 emerging singers as chorus mentors working with their voice parts, helping them to learn the music by ear and explore opera in English. We created learning tracks for different voice parts to support chorus volunteers’ learning. The rehearsal period was longer than usual, to try and ensure more volunteers could combine rehearsals with other commitments.

Volunteers had pastoral support from BOC Creative Producer, Diandra McCalla, and two dedicated Participation Managers.

7. “Evolve” – Career Pathways and Creative Skills development in the Region

We have re-invigorated our collaborations with Higher Education and Skills Training in the Region;

University of Birmingham (UoB)

23

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC)

Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA)

Schools and Colleges -

Job Centre

we were present in Job Centres offering our participation programmes as a way of returning to work and developing skills.

Regional External Projects’ Mentoring

The Volunteer Programme and skills development

Beyond immediate personal wellbeing and skills development 23% of New Year volunteers said they decided to start some training or a college course.

– Digital activity two full length film versions released and more on the way

Birmingham Opera Company’s acclaimed production of Wagner’s RhineGold was released on Sky Arts, OperaVision and is currently available also on Now TV.

We produced two film versions of RhineGold at broadcast standard for subsequent distribution, free-to air and online: one for Sky Arts to televise RhineGold over a five-year period (first broadcast December 2022) and another for OperaVision running for 9 months in 2023-24 with viewing figures over 30,000). This was our first collaboration with Sky Arts with the aim to reach new-to-us audiences.

The Decision 2023 was also captured by a professional film crew. In Summer 2023 we released a specially made-for-film version including interviews with volunteers and audience members, drone footage of the event and a volunteer actor as studio anchor. The Decision ran on OperaVision for 6 months and was launched with during the live-hosted YouTube premiere.

New films under edit

Currently we are editing a full length from version of Tippett’s New Year and short films of the Brum Commissions to be delivered for release in early 2025.

Latest news- creative tech in the hands of the future

We are a partner in the successful CreaTech AHRC bid 2025-2030 announced November 2024 and as such our digital offer will expand.

Building on our previous digital training initiatives we aim to place the technology in pursuit of making work and to substantially grow our work 16-25 year olds in this arena as creators and makers.

24

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

Additional sector leadership & partnerships

Once again, in 2023-24, there was significant national and international interest in Birmingham Opera Company’s work across a range of networks.

Richard Willacy with other regional partners contributed to a regional opera strategy and discussions on the future for opera in the region and presented at Scen un Film , Stockholm and was on the judging panel for European Opera Directing Prize. Richard also supported two external opera development projects in the region.

General Manager Hannah Griffiths was invited to teach Audience Development on the 2024 edition of the European Opera Management Course. Hannah was also elected to the board of Opera Europa, the European network of Opera.

Diandra McCalla delivered a session at Teatro Real for Opera XXI Association Conference and RBC and at The Art of Imagination and Volunteering Conference in Sheffield.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Company had incoming resources of £870,288 (2023: £839,555) and total funds at 30 June 2024 of £309,996 (2023: £757,106). The principal funding source of the charity is Arts Council England, and full details of funding are disclosed in notes 3, 13 and 14 of the financial statements.

RESERVES POLICY

Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of resources and to cover unplanned emergencies. The Trustees consider that the ideal level of reserves is £75,000, and the higher level of reserves held at the year end will be used for future production projects.

The actual unrestricted reserves are £274,046 (2023: £726,106) of which £124,046 (2023: £576,106) are designated by the Trustees for future production projects.

Restricted funds are £35,950 (2023: £31,000).

GOING CONCERN

The Trustees consider the charity to be a going concern with strict controls on spend and analysis of present risk and future scenario planning. With a commitment to adapt and live within our means, we did not apply for or receive any additional government funds such as Cultural Recovery Funds, nor did we furlough staff during Covid.

We remain a National Portfolio Organisation with Arts Council England and a revenue funded organisation with Birmingham City Council. These are significant expressions of confidence in the Company to deliver the highest quality work that engages people from the city’s many different communities and reflects the city’s diversity.

25

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to provide them with regular reports so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.

Approved by the Board on ……………………………….. and signed on its order by Jan 23, 2025

Richard Willacy

Trustee and Company Secretary

26

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO MEMBERS

I report on the financial statements of Birmingham Opera Company for the year ended 30[th] June 2024, which are set out on pages 29 to 42.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(b) of the 2011 Act.

This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the charity’s trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which is one of the listed bodies.

In connection with my examination, which is complete, no matters have come to my attention which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

27

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (Registration number: 01850467) (A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO MEMBERS

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

David Hoose (Jan 23, 2025 10:48 GMT)

David Hoose

For and on behalf of Forvis Mazars LLP First Floor Two Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3AX

Date: Jan 23, 2025

28

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (REGISTRATION NUMBER: 01850467)

(A Company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Incorporating an Income & Expenditure Account FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

Note
Income from:
Donations & grants
3
Other income
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Fundraising
Performances
Other costs
Total expenditure
5
Net movement in funds
Transfer between funds
Fund balance brought forward
1 July 2023
Fund balance carried forward
30 June 2024		 Unrestricted
2024
General
Designated
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
£
650,778
-
65,993
716,771
153,517
-
-
153,517
804,295
-
65,993
870,288
28,768
-
-
28,768
632,240
576,106
61,043
1,269,389
19,241
-
-
19,241
680,249
576,106
61,043
1,317,398
124,046
(576,106)
4,950
(447,110)
(124,046)
124,046
-
-
150,000
576,106
31,000
757,106
150,000
124,046
35,950
309,996		 Unrestricted
2023
General
Designated
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
£
555,796
-
44,500
600,296
239,259
-
-
239,259
795,055
-
44,500
839,055
25,870
-
-
25,870
201,346
398,997
53,480
653,823
13,767
-
-
13,767
240,983
398,997
53,480
693,460
554,072
(398,997)
(8,980)
146,095
(579,072)
579,072
-
-
175,000
396,031
39,980
611,011
150,000
576,106
31,000
757,106

The charity’s income and expenditure all relate to continuing operations.

All surpluses and deficits recognised in the period are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

29

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY (REGISTRATION NUMBER: 01850467)
BALANCE SHEET
30 JUNE 2024
Note
Fixed assets
Tangible
8
Intangible
9
Current assets
Stock
10
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors
Amounts falling
due within one year
12
Net current assets
Total assets less total
liabilities
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
General
13
Designated
13
Restricted funds
14
Total Charity Funds
15		 2024
£
£
1,160
40,000
41,160
5,200
472,662
428,582
906,444
(637,608)
268,836
309,996
150,000
124,046
35,950
309,996
41,639
715,467
906,444
(637,608)		 758,346
(42,879)
757,106
150,000
576,106
31,000
757,106

For the year ending 30[th] June 2024 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the Company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in accordance with section 476, the Directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on ………………………. and signed on its behalf by: Jan 22, 2025

Nicholas Payne (Jan 22, 2025 11:33 GMT)

Nicholas Payne - Chair

The notes on pages 31 to 42 form part of these financial statements.

30

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities 19 20,678 57,613
─────── ───────
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets - -
─────── ───────
Net cash provided by investing activities - -
─────── ───────
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the 20,678 57,613
year
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 407,904 350,291
─────── ───────
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 428,582 407,904
═══════ ═══════

31

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

1. COMPANY STATUS

The Company is limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, and does not have a share capital. The members of the Company are the Trustees named on page 2. The liability of members is limited and shall not exceed £1. Any surplus on winding up is to be donated to a charity whose objects are of a similar nature. The Company has taken advantage of section 30(5) of the Companies Act 2006 and deleted the word “Limited” from its name.

2 . ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102) and the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102, and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements also comply in all material respects with applicable accounting standards. They are drawn up under the historical cost accounting rules as modified for the revaluation of intangible fixed assets. All operations are classed as continuing and no operations have been acquired during the current or previous year.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the Company will continue to operate. The validity of this assumption is dependent upon the continuance of support from the Company’s key grant funders (Arts Council for England) and in response to the progress made by the Company in pursuing a viable budget including the obtaining of further grants and other funds. The Company’s current business plan shows that the Company, with continued focus on income diversification and restructure, will be able to operate in the foreseeable future. Based on this understanding, the directors believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

b. Income

Donations and sponsorship are accounted for on a cash received basis. Grants receivable are recognised in relation to the year and production cycle to which the grants relate.

Performance rights represent amounts received in respect of translations, arrangements or other such items sold to other performing groups. Income is only recognised on the completion of a sale. Due to the uncertainty of subsequent sales, expenditure in obtaining such items including expenditure on sets, properties, orchestrations and costumes is written off as incurred and is not carried forward in the Balance Sheet.

Covenanted donations are taken to income on a receivable basis, provision for deferred income being established for amounts received in advance of the covenanted date of payment.

Tax refunds are recognised when the relevant expenditure has been incurred and the refund is considered probable.

32

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

c. Fund accounting

The charity maintains various types of unrestricted funds as follows:

Designated funds represent amounts that have been put aside out of unrestricted funds at the discretion of the Trustees for particular projects. The designation is for administrative purposes only and does not legally restrict the Trustees discretion to apply the fund.

General unrestricted funds represent unrestricted income, which is expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Such funds may be held in order to finance both working capital and capital investment.

Where the charity has restricted funds these are to be used for the purpose as specified by the provider of the income.

d. Expenditure

All items of expenditure are accounted for on an accruals basis. Governance costs are the costs of governance arrangements relating to the general running of the charity.

e. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Equipment is stated at cost and depreciated on a straight line basis over five years. Sets and props are depreciated on a straight line basis over two years where considered appropriate. Only items greater than £1,000 are capitalised.

f. Intangible Fixed Assets

Intangible fixed assets comprise values ascribed to the stock of scores commissioned by the Company and which will provide royalty and performance income over many years in the future. These values are based on the Trustees’ assessments of royalties etc. expected supported by a comparative view of the transaction values of similar properties within the publishing industry. The carrying value of the assets is not subject to annual amortisation but is reviewed annually for any permanent diminution in carrying value.

g. Taxation

Any surplus of the Company income over its expenditure is applied solely for the purposes of the charity and its activities are the primary purpose of the charity. Under the provisions of Section 505, Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 the Company is exempt from liability to taxation.

h. Foreign currencies

Foreign currency transactions in the Statement of financial activities are translated into sterling at the exchange rate ruling at the date of transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the closing rates at the balance sheet date and the exchange differences are included in the statement of financial activity.

33

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

i. Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the statement of financial activity on a straight line basis over the lease term.

j. Stock Valuation

The Wardrobe stock is stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

k. Financial Instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

l. Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The charity makes estimates, in relation to valuation of assets, and assumptions concerning the future. The estimates and assumptions have no material impact on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the accounts.

34

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

3. DONATIONS AND GRANTS

The Company gratefully acknowledges the support given
by the following during the course of the year:
Grants received from:
Arts Council England
Birmingham City Council
Edgar E Lawley Foundation
George Fentham Birmingham Charity
Hodge Foundation
Individuals sponsors and donors
Maria Björnsson Memorial Fund
PRS Foundation
Scops Art Trust
Smetanova Litomyšl o.p.s.
Souter Charitable Trust
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
The Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust
The Baron Davenport’s Charity
The Cole Charitable Trust
The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust
The Eric W Vincent Trust Fund
The Eveson Trust
GJW Turner Trust
The Grimmitt Trust
The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation
The Norton Foundation
The Roger & Douglas Turner Charitable Trust
The Saintbury Trust
The Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust
The W. E. Dunn Charitable Trust
The William A. Cadbury Charitable Trust
Vaughan Williams Foundation
4. OTHER INCOME
Theatre tax credits
Legacy
Box office income, music library hire and other		 2024
£
586,433
27,624
-
2,500
-
36,722
-
4,500
-
31,543
-
8,000
-
-
1,200
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
2,000
5,000
1,250
-
-
-
716,771
2024
£
133,421
-
20,095
153,517
2023
£
511,433
31,570
1,500
-
5,000
9,043
3,000
-
10,000
-
1,000
-
1,000
1,000
-
3,000
500
5,000
1,000
1,500
-
1,000
2,000
-
-
750
10,000
1,000
600,296
2023
£
75,699
80,000
83,560
239,259

35

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

5. EXPENDITURE

Fundraising costs
Other salary costs
Other production costs
Governance		 2024
£
28,768
164,698
1,104,691
19,241
1,317,398		 2023
£
25,870
143,120
510,703
13,767
693,460

6. NET RESOURCES EXPENDED FOR THE YEAR

Net resources expended for the year are stated after charging:

Amount paid to Independent Examiner
-
IE and Accounts Preparation
-
Tax
Lease payments
Depreciation		 2024
£
2023
£
3,100
2,950
10,500
1,650
7,125
18,500
479
480

36

Notes to the Financial Statements

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

7. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social security
Pension cost
Average number of employees (excluding trustees)
employed during the year		 2023
£
152,271
17,923
19,968
190,162
Number
4		 2023
£
145,163
18,381
14,225
177,769
Number
4

There were was one employee (2023: one) with emoluments in excess of £60,000 per annum in the current year, within the bracket of £60,000 to £70,000.

One Trustee has been paid remuneration from employment with the charity. This is entirely in relation to their role as an employee and not as a Trustee of the charity.

Trustees have indemnity insurance with a Policy Aggregate Limit of £500,000, at a cost of £358 (2023: £500,000, at a cost of £358).

All employees are deemed to be key management personnel. Pension payments totalled £19,968 (2023: £14,225).

37

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost
At 1 July 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 30 June 2024
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 July 2023
Charge for the period
On disposals
At 30 June 2024
Net book value
At 30 June 2024
At 30 June 2023
9. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Valuation of intellectual property rights of
scores, future royalties etc. (see note 2f)		 2024
£
40,000		 Equipment
£
22,637
-
-
22,637
20,998
479
-
21,477
1,160
1,639


2023
£

40,000

The Trustees have valued the intellectual property rights over scores commissioned by the Company following advice obtained from the music publishing industry.

38

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

10. STOCKS

2024
£
Wardrobe stock
5,200
5,200
11.
DEBTORS
2024
£
Amounts falling due within one year:
Grants receivable
-
Trade debtors
640
VAT debtor
85,943
Prepayments and accrued income
385,295
Other debtors
784
472,662
12.CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024
£
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors
412,281
Other tax and social security
5,462
Accruals and other creditors
10,667
Deferred grant income
209,198
637,608		 2023
£
5,200
5,200
2023
£
183,767
2,269
10,125
148,427
654
345,242
2023
£
38,039
-
4,840
-
42,879

39

Notes to the Financial Statements

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

13. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Brought forward
Surplus / (Deficit) for the year
Transfer between funds
Carried forward		 General
Reserves
£
150,000
124,046
(124,046)

150,000		 Designated
Reserves
£
576,106
(576,106)

124,046
124,046		 Total
2024
£
726,106
(452,060)
-
274,046		 Total
2023
£
571,031
155,075
-
726,106

14. RESTRICTED FUNDS

George Fentham Birmingham Charity
Hodge Foundation
PRS Foundation
Scops Art Trust
Smetanova Litomyšl o.p.s.
The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
The Cole Charitable Trust
The Eveson Trust
The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation
The Roger and Douglas Turner Charitable
Trust
The Saintbury Trust
The Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust
The William A. Cadbury Charitable Trust		 Brought
Forward
Income
Expenditure
Carried
Forward
£
£
£
£
-
2,500
-
2,500
5,000
-
5,000
-
-
4,500
4,500
-
10,000
-
10,000
-
-
31,543
31,543
-
-
8,000
-
8,000
-
1,200
-
1,200
5,000
-
-
5,000
1,000
10,000
-
11,000
-
2,000
-
2,000
-
5,000
-
5,000
-
1,250
-
1,250
10,000
-
10,000
-
31,000
65,993
61,043
35,950

All restricted funds are for emerging artists and participation.

40

Notes to the Financial Statements

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

15. ANALYSIS OF ASSETS AS AT 30 JUNE 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
£
Tangible and intangible fixed assets
41,160
Current assets
870,494
Current liabilities
(637,608)
Total net assets
274,046		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
35,950
-
35,950		 Total
£
41,160
906,444
(637,608)
309,996

16. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

As at 30 June 2024 the Company had commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Less than 1 year
1 – 2 years
2 – 5 years		 Other
2024
£
2023
£
-
-
18,500
-
-
-
-
18,500		 Other
2024
£
2023
£
-
-
18,500
-
-
-
-
18,500
18,500

17. TRUSTEE EXPENSES

In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association Graham Vick, a former Trustee, was due £Nil (2023: £Nil) (plus VAT) for services from July 2020 to his passing 17 July 2021 for services provided to the Company. This Trustee will reimburse the charity for all mobile telephone costs and £Nil was owed at year end (2023: £2,355).

No other trustees were paid expenses.

18. RELATED PARTY

Nicholas Payne was Director of Opera Europa in the prior year, stepping down on 31st December 2022. The charity paid £Nil (2023: £2,339) to Opera Europa in respect of membership and other fees. Nothing was owed to Opera Europa at either year end. There are no other related party transactions that require disclosure.

41

Notes to the Financial Statements

BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024

19 RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASHFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2024 2023
£ £
Net (expenditure)/income for the year (447,110) 146,095
(as
per
Statement		 of Financial
Activities)
Adjustment for:
Depreciation 479 479
(Increase) in debtors (127,420) (83,576)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 594,729 (5,385)
─────── ───────
Net
cash		 used in operating 20,678 57,613
activities
═══════ ═══════

42